Hello, long time lurker, new poster!

I have a 2001 V10 Excursion I use as a dedicated tow vehicle for a 34' Airstream.
It is 10000 pounds, and has a tongue weight around 1000 pounds.

I am tickled pink with the way it tows, however not thrilled with the amount of squat I get when I load the ball. Realizing this wehicle is now 11 years old, I'm sure the springs are getting tired, and the weight if the AS won't help them get younger!

I need some advice on how to uprate without making this a monster truck.
I know I need better shocks, thats a no brainer, and need to include a rear sway bar.

I want to keep the original stance (height and rake) but want to get better performance from spring stacks so my squat isnt so bad.

With that being said, I also use a Reese HD weight distribution hitch that will easily keep everything up where it should be, but I feel like the springs need to play a bigger role in keeping everything level as well.

Thanks for your input

 

I have the RAS Roadmaster Active Suspension Kits | Helper Springs | Overload Springs on my Ex and love it. It helps while you are towing but also rides much better when empty.

 

I've read that RAS could raise the back end a little. What you could do is to add air bags.

 

I thought about air bags. I had a Land Rover vehicles for a long time and suffered through the constant failures of the airbags. Not sure I want to relive those days!

I am still giving it a thought!

 

Seach on RAS on here and many of my older posts will show up (at least they should).

When we moved to our 9000# TT with 1100-1200#s of tongue weight...I too didn't like the "squat" I got when hitched up and stock springs.

After experimenting with air bags for a short time...I ultimately tried the RAS...at the time the RAS was not well documented in this forum but I went ahead and got one and as JH points out it will raise your rear end a little...but that is basically returning your rear end to where it should be.

I like the RAS over air bags for a couple of reasons.

1) The RAS aids with reduction of axle wrap
2) It is passive and never needs attention

Check out the RAS...it did me great for over 5 years and I couldn't have been happier.

It is also critical to actually get weighed to verify your weights...too many folks simply go by the "stickers" the mfg gives you...it is important to have properly matched WD spring bars to the actual tongue weight...having proper spring bars helps with squatting too...but even with my setup being matched nicely...I still needed to augment the Ford crappy rear springs which were NOT selected with heavy towing in mind...

Good luck,
Joe.